PBA team profiles

Alaska Milk Aces

MANILA, Philippines - Questions lie ahead for Alaska Milk with a new man  Joel Banal  calling the shots for the team for the first time in over 20 years.

Will it still be a “Triangle Offense” team? How will it respond to its new coach? Many more.

At least on paper, the Aces, with an intact core rotation, are still a team to reckon with.

Banal is satisfied with the team that he inherited from coach Tim Cone, believing it can compete with any team in the league.

Alaska was a middle-of-the-pack team last year, finishing sixth in the Philippine Cup, fifth in the Commissioner’s Cup and third in the Governors Cup. The Aces finished with a fourth-best overall win-loss mark of 22-20.

The new Alaska mentor doesn’t intend to tinker with Alaska’s triangle offense, saying it’s the same formula that helped him win championships in the UAAP and in the PBL with Ateneo.

“I’ve been using that since 1991 when I coached RC Cola in the PBL. I dissected Chicago Bulls tapes and have since run their plays in all the teams that I’ve been with,” said Banal.

He’s comfortable with his lineup, having Sonny Thoss as lead frontline player and LA Tenorio as main man at the backcourt.

“You’ll always be comfortable having a Thoss at the frontline and an LA Tenorio at point guard. Add a prolific scorer in Cyrus Baguio and Tony dela Cruz with his leadership, experience and great work ethic, and we really have a competitive team,” said Banal.

Key additions for the team are Mac Baracael, Eric Salamat, Ariel Mepana and Julius Pasculado with Hans Thiele and Ervin Sotto relegated to the injured/reserve list.

 Barako Bull Energy

The Barako Bull management insists the team, formerly Air21, will perform according to its product theme “Ang Bumangga, Giba.”

The Energy have high hopes they can compete with a re-tooled lineup playing under new coach Junel Baculi.

New acquisitions Willie Miller, Don Allado, Jondan Salvador, Mick Pennisi, Sunday Salvacion, Dylan Ababou, Allein Maliksi and Paul Sorongon being added to Danny Seigle, Wynne Arboleda, Dorian Peña, Paul Artadi and Leo Avenido seem to give Baculi a potent mix.

The question is how quick they can develop good chemistry, then how to translate it into wins.

The team has nowhere to go but up, being last placer in the most recent PBA tourney. The Lina Group franchise was eighth overall last season with a 13-25 mark.

“We have a modest goal of making the semis, and we’ll take it from there,” said Barako governor Manny Alvarez on their expectation in the coming campaign.

“We’ll always be there fighting,” said Baculi, champion coach in the SEA Games, SEABA and FIBA Asia Champions Cup who is in his second PBA team after holding the rein at the original Barako team of the Chua family.

With the Energy, Baculi will have as deputy fellow former Mapua Cardinals Bong Ramos and Leo Pujante.

 Barangay Ginebra Kings

The Barangay Ginebra Kings set out for the 2011-2012 season with an old fighting team except for the addition of forward Reil Cervantes and the appointment of Siot Tanquingcen and Jong Uichico as co-head coaches.

The management perhaps deemed it unnecessary to touch the team that had strong finishes last season, placing third in the Philippine Cup, second in the Commissioner’s Cup and fourth in the Governors Cup.

The Kings stayed in the thick of the battle throughout last season despite various injuries to key players.

If they can stay healthy, the Kings are upbeat they can do a lot better this season.

Rico Villanueva and Jayjay Helterbrand are back in harness but not Eric Menk who’s still nursing health woes.

Veterans Mark Caguioa, Ronald Tubid, Mike Cortez and Willy Wilson and rookies John Wilson and Rob Labagala were the Kings’ bright lights last year.

Caguioa contended for the MVP plum while the two Wilsons made the All Defensive Team.

In Menk’s absence, Cervantes, an FEU product, is tipped to get good exposure right in his first games in the pros.

Helterbrand, who’s been battling a variety of injuries, signed just a one-conference extension-deal with the team. He wants to see how he fares before deciding whether to stay on playing or finally call it quits.

Whatever his decision is, the Kings will still have a solid backcourt crew in Caguioa, Cortez, Wilson and Labagala.

The presence of Tubid, JC Intal and KG Canaleta in the wings and Villanueva, Wilson, Cervantes, Yancy de Ocampo, Billy Mamaril in the frontcourt gives the Ginebra lineup a good balance.

B-Meg Llamados

The B-Meg Llamados are a team aching to deliver.

They are out to churn out good result after all the wheeling and dealing done by the management in an effort to form a team formidable enough to compete with any other ball club.

And with Kerby Raymundo, Rico Maierhofer and Rafi Reavis back in the pink of health, expectation is high B-Meg can show its true potential this season.

Adding to the team’s optimism is the entry of brilliant American coach Tim Cone.

“We can’t be modest because we really have a strong lineup. The Llamados are llamado this season,” said B-MEG governor Rene Pardo.

“The guys have yet to fully adapt into coach Tim’s triangle offense. But even if it bogs down, I think talent alone can bring us to the championship,” Pardo added.

Just imagine Raymundo, Maierhofer, Reavis, Joe Devance, Marc Pingris, Jerwin Gaco and John Ferriols making up the team’s frontline and James Yap, PJ Simon, Roger Yap, Josh Urbiztondo, Mark Barroca and Jonas Villanueva composing the backcourt.

Many consider it B-Meg’s strongest lineup in years.

“Our team is a joy to watch in practice. Our second team can compete with our first team,” said Pardo.

B-Meg is a tremendous force, having four prolific scorers in Yap, Simon, De Vance and Raymundo, and five board crashers in Raymundo, De Vance, Pingris, Reavis and Maierhofer.

Last season, Yap placed second behind Gary David (21.79) in the scoring race with an average of 18.75 points per game. Simon was fifth with 17.10 ppg and De Vance sixth with 16.48 ppg.

Surplus in talent allowed the team to release Romel Adducul.

Meralco Bolts

Lessons learned from last year should make Meralco more mature and tougher for battle in its second year in the league.

Meralco hitting a jackpot in landing Jason Ballesteros and Gilbert Bulawan from the rookie draft should also help.

“Player per player, we can’t compete yet with power teams like Talk n Text, Petron or B-Meg. But as a whole, we’re definitely going to be more competitive this time,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.

The Bolts picked the 6-foot-7 Ballesteros at seventh overall then his former San Sebastian teammate Bulawan in the second round.

The team was also lucky to get from the free agent market former Letran player Bryan Faundo and the indestructible Mark Yee. “They are what I called Meralco’s version of Bakal Boys,” said Gregorio, back in the saddle at Meralco after serving as one of coach Rajko Toroman’s lieutenants with the Smart Gilas-Pilipinas in the recent FIBA Asia Championship. “I think we’re a much better team physically and mentally this season with these players around,” Gregorio added.

Also added into the fold are former Powerade gunners Mark Macapagal and Chico Lanete. “We’re definitely solid at No. 2 spot with the addition of Macapagal and Lanete, and the return of Mark Cardona,” Gregorio noted.

The arrival of Ballesteros, the former NCAA Most Valuable Player (MVP), provides fresh legs to the Bolts’ frontcourt manned by 12-year veteran Asi Taulava, Reynel Hugnatan and Mark Isip. Streak shooter Sol Mercado and forwards Nelbert Omolon and Gabby Espinas complete the Bolts’ roster.

“The main concern is injuries to Rey Hugnatan and Sol Mercado. But we will still compete,” said Gregorio.

 Petron Blaze Boosters

Pulling off an improbable championship the last time, Petron Blaze’s tough task this time around is how to be able to stay on top.

With Jay Washington and Rabeh Al-Hussaini still out, coach Ato Agustin believes the best way to stay afloat is to play no-nonsense defense in each game.

They have a lot to make up for as they will now also miss import Anthony Grundy – a major factor in their Governors Cup championship run with his averages of 23.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.2 steals.

The Boosters rehired Dondon Hontiveros and enlisted Smart Gilas player Chris Lutz to plug holes in the wing and acquired Carlo Sharma to shore up their frontcourt.

Even then, Agustin thought they’re not up to par versus top-tier teams in terms of offensive clout.

“That’s the reason why they’re now concentrating on fine-tuning their defensive prowess,” said SMC official Robert Non.

Only through extra hard work on the defensive end, Non added, could the Boosters hope to offset their manpower shortage.

Arwind Santos, runner-up in the MVP race last season, could well still be Petron’s top gun with assistance coming from Danny Ildefonso, Denok Miranda, Alex Cabagnot and Joseph Yeo.

Noy Baclao and Rey Guevarra are expected to play better in their sophomore years while rookie Marc Agustin is tipped to get playing time under his father/coach.

 Powerade Tigers

Improving talent-wise is one thing and improving on their performance on the court is another. 

Powerade coach Bo Perasol said this is the challenge they face now after netting two marquee players from the Annual Rookie Draft. 

The Tigers drafted and signed Smart Gilas stalwarts JV Casio and Marcio Lassiter and then enlisted six other new faces in a major overhaul that they hope will result in a breakthrough. 

“There’s no question that our roster improved. There’s an immediate improvement, but it’s not a guarantee of an improvement on our performance,” said Perasol. 

“It’s common in the league teams having strong rosters. But then, not everyone wins the championship,” Perasol added.

Perasol said there are things to work on for a good roster to produce good results.  “It depends on how players get together. In our case, the questions include how can Gary David live with Marcio Lassiter and how can Casio balance the touches of the two scorers while also being a threat himself,” he said. 

The low-key Powerade mentor said a major concern is how to offset their weak frontline. 

They settled for unrestricted free agents Romel Adducul and Alex Crisano to beef up their big spots.

Casio and another rookie James Vincent Martinez could provide stability in the Powerade point guard position while Lassiter gives David a dependable partner in wing spot.

 Rain or Shine Elasto Painters

Rain or Shine is on the radar of most coaches as among the teams to watch.

Its steady improvement from last year plus the addition of amateur standout Paul Lee should really be a cause for worry for the other ball clubs.

Coach Yeng Guiao said he’s excited to battle with what he has got at his disposal.

Rain or Shine has no real marquee player in the mold of a James Yap or a Mark Caguioa. What it has are hard-nosed players prepared to give what it takes to win. 

Guiao has Lee, Gabe Norwood, Tyrone Tang, Ryan Arana, Jireh Ibanes, Jeff Chan and Jonathan Uyloan to rotate at the backcourt and Beau Belga, Larry Rodriguez, Jervy Cruz, JR Quinahan, Chito Jayme and the returning Ronnie Matias to shuffle at the frontcourt.

The Elasto Painters had their improvements last season, making impact in the third conference as they figured prominently in the fight for the finals.

Rain or Shine eventually settled for fifth, reeling from the injury suffered by import Arizona Reid.

“We had a good pick and I believe we have had a good preparation,” said Guiao, hopeful they can sustain their gains last year.

To make the finals is the target of the Asian Coatings Inc. franchise which has never made it past the semis in all its first six seasons in the league.

 Shopinas.com Clickers

That Shopinas.com is at the bottom of pre-season ranking is hardly surprising with an inexperienced and ill-equipped team it was able to form for its initial voyage in the pro league.

Shopinas.com top official Sheila Lina is not giving herself false hopes, saying she would be happy to just see the team give its best in each game it plays.

Coach Franz Pumaren has the same in mind, though, he doesn’t rule out pulling off surprises every now and then.

The Clickers are a mix of untested young players, discards and journeymen, and the job putting them to play well together could be a big challenge for the coaching staff.

Renren Ritualo could be the team’s best offensive option.

Ritualo, Dennis Daa, Jojo Duncil and Paolo Hubalde are the team’s most experienced players.

Completing the lineup are Brian Ilad, Mark Angelo Canlas, Elmer Espiritu, Magi Sison, RJ Jazul, Ogie Menor, Vaughn Canta and Khazim Mirza.

Espiritu, Jazul and Menor, all star players in their college days, have a good chance to prove their worth in this team.

 Talk N Text Tropang Texters

Narrowly missing a grand slam last season, Talk n Text is just out to keep its winning ways and extend its mighty rule with its star-studded, talent-laden team.

Another shot at a Triple Crown may not even be a far-fetched idea just imagining Talk n Text’s powerhouse roster improved even more by the arrival of Japeth Aguilar.

The athleticism and size of the young 6-foot-9 behemoth would provide the Texters more offensive clout and extra defensive muscle.

Smart Gilas Pilipinas provided a glimpse of what’s in store for Talk n Text with Aguilar, Kelly Williams and Ranidel de Ocampo playing simultaneously against Bahrain in the recent Wuhan Asian meet.

“You’ve just seen the Talk n Text frontcourt out there,” coach Chot Reyes reminded the Filipino sportswriters after the game.

After a two-year service playing for the men’s national team, Aguilar will finally make his debut for Talk n Text and his numbers during the game against Bahrain certainly showed exactly what he can do inside the court. 

The former Western Kentucky University stalwart only played in the second half, but finished with a team-high 21 points and 12 rebounds. He scored 14 of his total output in the third quarter when Smart Gilas ripped the game apart, then capped his performance with a two-handed putback off a missed shot by Mark Barroca.   

He made a good impression too when he finally joined the Tropang Texters in practice back home.

“He brings us up to another level,” said team manager Aboy Castro.

Talk n Text likewise improved its backcourt in signing up former SSC Stag heady guard Pamboy Raymundo.

“Pamboy is a tough point guard and he’s a winner. He won championships with San Sebastian in the NCAA and in the PBL. He’s also with the N-LEX champion team in the PBA D-League,” said Castro.

The Texters are not about to sit on their laurels.

“We’ve forgotten the two championships that we won. What’s in our mind was the finals we lost. So we’re hungry and determined to win,” said Castro.